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Best Amp for a Sennheiser HD650

post #1 of 19
5/18/06 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
First of all I'd like to say hello, I'm new here.

I read some stuff on the forums about amps for the sennheiser HD650 but most of them are comparisons between several ones.

I don't know much about amps and audio stuff but I bought myself a pair of Sennheiser HD650's and I'd like to know what would be a good headphone amp.

I'm rather unsure about it since alot of this stuff costs quite some money

My budget is should be a maximum of 400 euro's. The headet is mainly for PC use and atm I use my radio to make the sound signal from my pc stronger but there's quite some static which annoys me.

I also read on the forum that removing the foams would make the sound better, which I did. I was amazed that removing just a small piece like that could give such a difference
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post #2 of 19
5/18/06 at 4:55pm
Welcome, Sorry about your wallet

I hate to be an ass and say use the search, but you really will find a wealth of information, as this questions has been asked numerous times. Do an advanced search in the amps forum and type HD650.

As far as amps go, there is the Music Fidelity X-can, Meier Corda Headfive, Gilmore Lite, M^3...
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post #3 of 19
5/18/06 at 4:58pm
Hi Corrupt^,

since you live in Europe you might want to consider http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/ , which is also a sponsor of head-fi. Jahn Meier makes wonderful amps, and if you look into the Corda Aria you'll see that it also has a decent integrated DAC, meaning that you can plug your PC via USB into the Amp and you'll get quite nice results out of it. It is 425€ inside Europe.

I only heard the HD650 with the Corda Prehead, which was a wonderful match IMO, but this one is quite a bit over your budget. There'll also be the Corda Headfive that'll come out soon enough.
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post #4 of 19
5/18/06 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 
Thx, I looked around a bit and I've got a few names but not many prices.
I also read some stuff about making your own amps but it looks awfully complicated to me

The X-Can looks pretty nice atm, gonna check some more
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post #5 of 19
5/19/06 at 3:11am
Generally speaking, I think the HD-650 sounds best with solid state. Tubes are a bit heavier and slower (and I do like them) which isn't a good match for the Sennheiser house sound.

I like the sound of the Gilmore Lite/Dynalo with the HD-650. They're a good match.

If you have any interest in the DIY amps, you should take a closer look. They're not as difficult as you might think. There is plenty of documentation for the more popular amps. Not only that, but a lot of people here have built them, and will help you through. Try it, it is very rewarding.
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post #6 of 19
5/19/06 at 3:39am
Did you listened the Cary/HD650 combo? Or EarMax AE/HD650 combo?
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post #7 of 19
5/19/06 at 5:22am
I think that you should not dismiss the prospect of second hand gear. It could save you a couple of hundred dollar.

Personally, I like the HD650 with tube amplification, and the Musical Fidelity X-CAN range is widely available in Europe. I haven’t heard the X-CAN V3 or the earlier V2 my self, but both are considered good amps in the sub $500 segment.

Among the Meier amps, I have only listened to the Corda Mk.II SE, which I liked a lot. But it is, unfortunately, much more than your budget allow.
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post #8 of 19
5/19/06 at 6:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik
Generally speaking, I think the HD-650 sounds best with solid state. Tubes are a bit heavier and slower (and I do like them) which isn't a good match for the Sennheiser house sound.

I like the sound of the Gilmore Lite/Dynalo with the HD-650. They're a good match.
Wow, my ears hear it different. I own both the Lite (with power supply) and The Raptor, and for me it's no contest. The Raptor + 650/Zu is the best sounding combo I've ever heard in this hobby & has better synergy than 650/Lite. IMO, 650 + tubes > 650 + SS.

Peace,

Graz
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post #9 of 19
5/19/06 at 6:44am
I highly recommend the Gilmore Lite with dedicated power supply!
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post #10 of 19
5/19/06 at 8:04am
I believe Sennheiser uses the Graham Slee Solo Headphone amp with the HD650s at audio shows. worth consideration
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post #11 of 19
5/19/06 at 8:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 909
I believe Sennheiser uses the Graham Slee Solo Headphone amp with the HD650s at audio shows. worth consideration
In Europe, I believe Sennheiser usually uses Lehmann Black Cube Linear amps at shows. A very fine amp too. It has a fantastic out-of-the-way signature, which makes the choice of source crucial. Also this one quite over his budget.
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post #12 of 19
5/19/06 at 8:48am
found it again on google--but maybe Senn has changed to a different amp since 2004?

Sennheiser - UK Shows, 24 February 2004.

If you are intending to travel to any of this years crop of Hi Fi Shows, then take a walk along to the Sennheiser stand. There you will be able to listen to our Solo headphone amplifier, in its very latest form, powering their highly acclaimed HD600 and HD650 headphones.

__________________________________________________ ___________

The Solo Monitor Class headphone amplifier has been chosen by Sennheiser UK to demonstrate their flagship HD650 headphones at forthcoming HiFi shows.
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post #13 of 19
5/19/06 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheechoz
I highly recommend the Gilmore Lite with dedicated power supply!

I second that opinions...I'm loving the HD650 with the gilmore lite right now
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post #14 of 19
5/19/06 at 9:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 909
found it again on google--but maybe Senn has changed to a different amp since 2004?

Sennheiser - UK Shows, 24 February 2004.

If you are intending to travel to any of this years crop of Hi Fi Shows, then take a walk along to the Sennheiser stand. There you will be able to listen to our Solo headphone amplifier, in its very latest form, powering their highly acclaimed HD600 and HD650 headphones.

__________________________________________________ ___________

The Solo Monitor Class headphone amplifier has been chosen by Sennheiser UK to demonstrate their flagship HD650 headphones at forthcoming HiFi shows.
I just checked again, and according to the Lehmann Audio site, Sennheiser Germany used the Linear, at least during the 2005 IFA presentation. And, Sennheiser U.S.A. used them during the NY Hifi Show 2005 Apr. 28 - May 1.

http://www.lehmannaudio.de/english/news.htm
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post #15 of 19
5/19/06 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 
So for now I'll look into these 2:

Music Fidelity X-Can v3
Gilmore Lite

But ehm does anyone have the url of the homepage from Music Fidelity, can't seem to find it.
Btw I've checked the specs on both and they've got about 50K ohm, does that K mean it's 50.000 ohm?

It seems kinda really high, just checking
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